AI inference startup Baseten reportedly raising $1.5B months after its last mega round

AI inference startup Baseten is reportedly in advanced talks to raise approximately $1.5 billion in new funding, valuing the company at around $13 billion. This potential valuation marks a significant increase from its previous funding round. The substantial investment comes amid a broader trend in the artificial intelligence sector, often referred to as an "inference gold rush," where companies are pouring capital into the infrastructure and services required to run AI models efficiently. This news follows Baseten's Series B funding round, which closed just months prior, raising $200 million at a $1 billion valuation in October 2023. The rapid succession of major funding rounds highlights the intense investor interest and competitive landscape within the AI inference market, as demand for deploying AI models at scale continues to grow.